(13. 7. 1914 - 19. 5. 1984)
P employee Andreevich Melnikov, Guard lieutenant colonel, commander of the 1454-th self-propelled artillery Przemysl-Gnezninskogo twice Red Banner Order of Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky Regiment. Born July 13, 1914 in g. Atkarsk Saratov region. Russian. He graduated from the agricultural school in Saratov in 1933, sovpartshkolu in g. Petrovsk in 1934. He worked as an instructor Tatischevskogo Executive Committee. In 1936, he was (drafted into the Soviet Army. In 1938 he graduated from military school named after the Central Executive Committee.
. From April 1942 until the victory over Germany in World War II fought in the West, . Central, . Voronezh, . 1 st Ukrainian, . 2 and 1 First Byelorussian Front, . occupying the post of commander of a separate artillery battalion, . self-propelled artillery regiment and brigade,
. Participated in the battles of Rzhev, the Battle of Kursk, the liberation of Ukraine, Poland, defeating the enemy on the territory of Germany. Wounded in 1942. For military distinction and impeccable service in the Soviet Army was awarded three Orders of the Red Banner (1943, . 1944, . 1956), . Order of Suvorov 3rd degree (1945), . World War 1-st degree (1944), . three orders of the Red Star (1942, . 1943, . 1951), . medals "For Military Merit" (1946), . "For the capture of Berlin", . "For the liberation of Warsaw" and five other medals.,
. W tion of the Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and medal "Gold Star" Peter Andreevich Melnikov conferred May 31, 1945 for bravery and courage in the storming of Berlin.
. In the postwar years P.A
. Melnikov graduated from the Military Academy "armored troops.
Died May 19, 1984.
B erlinskaya operation began on April 16 for two hours before dawn. After a powerful artillery preparation the infantry and tanks went into battle. Polk Melnikova, together with the 44 th Guards Tank Brigade, Colonel Gusakovskaya was part of the vanguard of Panzer Corps. The first defense line was overcome relatively easily, but as we move to Berlin resistance increased. Particularly bloody battle erupted over Seelow Heights. In the midst of the battle over the military formations of ground troops there were Soviet aircraft. They struck at the enemy fortifications, and then dropped by parachute four keys from Berlin. Each of them was attached plaque with the inscription: "Guards friends, to win - go! Send you the keys to the gates of Berlin ..." On appeal the pilots learned all the crews of self-propelled. This further encouraged by the guards at the complete defeat of the enemy in his own turf. On the morning of April 17th Regiment Melnikova toured Seelow Heights and headed towards Mц?ncheberg. When approaching the city has taken a strong enemy counterattack. By the command post, which was Melnikov, with its headquarters and a backup battery self-propelled guns, moved 30 enemy tanks with troops tommy. The guards took the fight. We fought everything from cooks and ending with the regimental commander. When knocked down the commander's machine gunner, Melnikov himself sat at the sight and a few shots ignited three tanks. Leaving the battlefield 16 burning cars, the Germans began to retreat.
The enemy took all measures to delay its collapse, and threw it against the advancing Soviet troops everything that came to hand. Fighting dust around the clock. During the night of the shots, flares and fire was bright as day.
After a hard fight for Fredersdorfom April 21 gunners Melnikova, along with tank crews Gusakovskaya burst in a suburb of Berlin - Ulenhorst. The Nazis threw a counter-60 tanks and several fresh battalions of infantry, artillery and mortar fire, a large. Heavy fighting ensued, which lasted the whole day. Fascists for some time even managed to surround our vanguard, but staunchly defended by guards and simultaneously to forge ahead in KцІpenick, to cross the river Spree. By the evening of April 22 in the area approached the main forces of the shell, and the enemy was defeated. Last day of battle the regiment Melnikova destroyed 42 tanks, 29 artillery shells, 52 mortar rounds, more than a thousand Nazis, captured 107 prisoners.
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Sources:
1) Heroes of the Soviet Union: A Brief Biographical Dictionary. V.2. M.: Voeniz.1988.
2) Rumyantsev.N.M. People legendary heroism ". Saratov. 1968
